Republicans’ hypocrisy
To the editor:
The sheer hypocrisy of the Monroe Republicans has been proven in black and white in Audrey Cornish’s letter in The Cranbury Press last week.
They want it both ways. They criticize a Board of Education member for owning an investment property in Lumberton, claiming that Amy Speizer’s not a township resident and shouldn’t continue her volunteer service on the school board. They refuse to accept the IRS definition of residency as where you place your head at night most often.
The letter writer, however, does accept that definition for her own political purposes, admitting she will run for office in Amsterdam, N.Y. (Republican territory), because she’s been living there for six months.
Ms. Cornish admits that even if she wins in Amsterdam, she will "still vote here because I won’t change the address on my digital driver’s license." That’s fraud, according to the Motor Vehicle Commission and state election laws.
Are the Monroe Republicans so desperate for votes that they condone a New York resident casting her ballots here? Are the Amsterdam Republicans aware that either Ms. Cornish won’t be able to vote for herself, or she will be fraudulently voting in two states simultaneously? The local parties in both places must think members of the public are "too stupid," to use her words.
No wonder the Republicans have been losing elections.
Monroe
A suggested way out of the box
To the editor:
According to all the polls the majority of Americans have little confidence in the leadership ability and honesty of the present administration. The primary concern of the majority of Americans is to end the war in Iraq and have our troops come home as soon as possible. The 2006 election results show this to be true. But, in addition, they also have strong secondary concerns dealing with health care, immigration problems, education and other domestic issues money for which is not available due to its being wasted in a "War on Terror" that seemingly has no end and which is being fought in the wrong country because of trumped up "facts" that have led to increasing the terror risk to us instead of decreasing it.
Even Republicans are becoming more and more disenchanted with the war but Democrats have as yet to be unified in their stance on getting our troops home. This creates the worst of all possible worlds by maintaining a status quo of uncertainty which translates to the increasing numbers of our military killed and wounded unnecessarily, multi-billions of dollars wasted and the spine-jarring volatility of the stock market.
In my opinion, I believe there is a way to solve this dilemma. But first, we have to be aware of what the facts are telling us:
1. Who is our enemy? It is not the Iraqis. Without a doubt, it is the radical Islamists who have created a jihad against us and other non-Muslim countries.
2. Our enemy loves death more than life, so it is meaningless to threaten him with death.
3. Our Homeland Security is inept and basically impotent, costing us billions of dollars.
4. Our borders are porous and ter- rorists can reach us at will.
5. Terrorist potential targets in the United States are so vast in number that it is impossible to provide meaningful protection everywhere. Thus, we are constantly vulnerable to more 9/11s.
6. Radical Muslims venerate their Shrines and practice their religious obligations scrupulously.
7. Military action is no solution to fighting terrorism as events in Iraq have demonstrated and Gen. Petraeus concurs.
So, what can be done?
Many years ago President James Monroe came up with an idea that has served us well in terms of keeping our country safe. It was called "The Monroe Doctrine." After World War II we were able to maintain peace during the Cold War period by a policy of MAD Mutually Assured Destruction. I suggest we institute an updated doctrine called "The Monroe American Doctrine II" or, MAD II, consisting of notifying the Islamic world that any incident of terror against any non-Muslim country not identifiable as coming from a non-Muslim source will be considered to be committed by a Muslim group. Such an incident will be retaliated by us shortly after its occurrence by launching a nuclear device that will evaporate a Muslim Shrine and the area adjacent to it, the place and timing of such retaliation as determined by us.
By instituting MAD II we will have a valid reason for withdrawing our troops from Iraq immediately, closing down Homeland Security, saving the time of millions of air travelers by not having to impose security searches on them and to be able to use the immense amount of money saved to address critical domestic problems.
By not using this method, we will be doomed to fight an unwinnable war for an indeterminate time and still be vulnerable to have more terrorist incidents occur on our soil. Do we have any choice?
Monroe
Righteous readers must speak up
To the editor:
Your editorial on March 16, "Court’s ruling strikes a blow for all citizens," was right on target. Judge Zazzali, in stating "video is but a modern instrument in that evolving pursuit (openness)" reminded me of an incident.
One evening during a section meeting in one of the planned retirement communities, there were loud, angry exchanges between the board and residents. One resident quietly left and came back with a video camera. Amazingly, the meeting calmed down. We agree with you and also "hope that those whose rights are protected by it (Judge Zazzali’s ruling) will exercise them responsibly and productively."
Sadly, however, there are too many times when I must take issue with your views and agenda, but we understand where you are coming from. We are reminded of Lot, a resident of Sodom in biblical times. Concerning him it is said that God "delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds." For those who may be unfamiliar with those words they are found in the Bible (2 Peter 7,8).
We are sure there must be some of your righteous readers who have not yet cancelled their subscriptions to The Cranbury Press as we are often tempted to do. Perhaps some courageous ones are still out there who will take the time to write to you with their views. I hope so. We hear from too few of them.
Please be assured that they and we are still there. Sadly, in Lot’s day, Abraham could not find 10 righteous in Sodom. However, there must be more than 10 among your readers today who are righteous and will intercede for mercy upon America.
Monroe
Cranbury comes together
To the editor:
On March 10, the community of Cranbury came together for a spaghetti dinner/fundraiser of which I am the beneficiary. The outpouring of support was overwhelming.
I don’t believe anyone expected such a large turnout, least of all me. To say I was deeply moved by everyone’s concern and good wishes would be an understatement.
I have come to know Cranbury as a place filled with people who are involved and concerned, a place where people participate in making this a great place to live, and where neighbors come together to take care of their own.
Someone commented to me that the huge turnout and show of support was unique and "So Cranbury." It says so much about the people who live here. How true! A truth not lost on anyone who was there.
So it is with the deepest sense of gratitude and humility that I say thank you to the wonderful people of this town. Thank you to my friends and neighbors, and to the many who didn’t know me but were there anyway. You will all remain in my heart and prayers.
Cranbury
Bigger issues than value
To the editor:
Your article, "Land swap in state court" in the March 16 issue of this paper informed us of the court case concerning the proposed land swap in Monroe. Land in Thompson Park would be used to build a school and township land, far from the park, would be given to Middlesex County in exchange.
I’ve been following this story since it began and I am surprised that anyone would consider a land swap for park land. It seems that most of those involved in the swap are concerned about whether the land that would be given for park land is of equal monetary value.
I believe that there is much more than monetary value at stake here. New Jersey is a state that encourages the retention of open spaces land that will not be built upon. Land is one of the few things that we, in our industrial world, can not produce more of. There is a finite amount of land and as our population grows and our oceans rise, reducing land mass, it is commendable that our state encourages a policy of retaining open spaces. It seems that using park land to build upon runs against this policy.
I always though of parks as untouchable. Would anyone even consider building a school in New York’s Central Park, or in Yellowstone Park? Would the City of New York consider a land swap for Central Park land? Is our Thompson Park less sacred than these parks? If not, why would anyone consider using our park land for anything other than what it was intended.
This swap could set a precedent that we and our children and grandchildren may on day regret.
Monroe
Tessler deserves voters’ support
To the editor:
My wife, Vickie, and I have known Ira Tessler for over eleven years. Ira is running for a seat on the Monroe Board of Education and we want to show our support by bringing his credentials to the people of Monroe who do not know him.
First, he is a trusted and loyal friend who can always be counted upon to help out in any way that is asked of him. Ira has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Rutgers and a master’s degree in computer science from NJIT. He owns a software development company.
He is a trustee and active member of the Monroe Education Foundation and organizes and runs many annual events which raise needed funds.
Through the foundation he also is a member of the Grant Committee which reviews 50-plus teacher grants given out per year each December. Mr. Tessler takes special pride in this area as the grants go to teachers from all of the schools of Monroe, which in turn directly aids the children of Monroe.
He is an active member of the "Kids First" program as well as a member and volunteer of the PTA for Barclay Brook and Brookside. Mr. Tessler and his wife, Laura, have three children. Amanda is in Applegarth, Rebecca is in Brookside and another daughter, Ali, who will begin school in Monroe in two years. When not at work, he can always be found helping out in one of his children’s schools.
Mr. Tessler fully supports the construction of the new High school in Thompson Park and has vocally supported this program for the past three years to the present board and at Freeholder meetings. He has said that "whatever the election results will be," he will continue to work in a positive manner in any area he is asked to participate in to get the construction going as soon as possible.
Mr. Tessler believes in Monroe and wants to see that the many senior communities have active involvement in the schools of Monroe. "The wealth of information and knowledge of our seniors in Monroe can only be seen as a treasure which our children can be the beneficiaries of." He would like to see programs brought into the schools, such as RAVE readers and guest speakers who could come into the schools to supplement the curriculums.
These are a few areas of involvement which Mr. Tessler has been proud to participate in. We feel he would be an excellent Board of Education member who will work well with other members to bring projects to fruition and fresh ideas to the table. He has a strong background in administration and business as well as being family oriented in the community he loves.
Vote for Ira Tessler on April 17.
Monroe

